The Benefits of Heart Rate Monitoring on an Exercise Bike
Posted in Excercise Tips, Exercise Bikes, Heart Rate Monitors |
Feb21
Most of the modern exercise bikes come with heart rate monitors which allow you to keep track of how intense your workout is. The reason exercise bikes monitor your heart rate is because the harder you exercise, the faster your heart will beat, and that’s why it gives such a good indication of how hard you’re working.
Athletes use heart rate monitors and people who want to get the most out of their exercise should use them too because ultimately it is a guide to your progress.
A heart rate monitor is important because:
♥ Your heart rate is a reliable indication of the intensity of your exercise
♥ If you know the intensity you can vary it depending on your personal level of fitness and your own personal fitness goals.
♥ It will show you if you’re improving towards your goals
♥ You can monitor and measure your progress which will increase your motivation.
What happens to the heart when you exercise?
When muscles are used during exercise, they are replenished with oxygen, nutrients,etc. They also produce waste products that need to be taken away from the cells. Blood is the transport system for all of these things, so the harder your muscles are worked, the quicker they burn nutrients and produce waste, this means that the blood must flow faster to provide all of this, and the only way for blood to flow faster is for your heart rate to beat faster.
Tags: exercise, exercise bike, heart rate monitors
Loving and Looking After Your Heart
Posted in Fitness Equipment, Weight Loss Tips |
Feb16
So this week people all over the world celebrated Valentine’s Day, so we thought there was no better opportunity to give some tips on how to keep your heart healthy. Looking after your self is another way to love yourself, which is what this week is all about!
Heart disease is one of the biggest problems that is affecting our health today. There are many different reasons why people get heart disease, but one that we can take care of is our diets. Many doctors and dieticians believe that if you look after your diet, and eat the right things, it can have a huge beneficial effect on your heart and reduce the risk of heart disease.
It can be difficult to eat well when you lead a busy lifestyle. Although there is advice available on TV that we should all try to improve our eating habits, it’s not always that easy. People with full time jobs can’t always find the time to cook in the evening, or busy mums may not have enough time for a proper lunch.
But having a good diet doesn’t mean a lot of preparation or hard work. In fact if you get healthy eating right then it can be just as easy. Before you make any drastic changes to your diet, it may be an idea to consult your doctor so they can advise you on what would be the best diet plan for you.
If you’re eating a lot of fried food or readymade meals, then you know you’re not eating well. Eating oily fish such as salmon and a small amount of mono saturated oil, such as olive, can be great for you and your heart. Regular exercise is also important. But if you want to know which diet would be best suited for you, and that can help lower the risk of heart disease then consult your doctor or dietician who’ll be more than happy to help you to keep your heart healthy and well!
Tags: dieting, exercise at home, fitness, staying healthy
Treadmills: Runners vs. Walkers
Posted in Buying Guide, Excercise Tips, Treadmill Running Machines |
Feb13
Treadmills allow you to run, walk or jog indoors from the comfort of your own home. So it’s no surprise that they are gaining in popularity. Treadmills are designed to accommodate walkers and joggers, but different machines handle the demands of jogging better than others. Both walking and jogging are exercises that can play a big part in a fitness routine, providing some great health benefits.
Walking
Walking is a form of exercise that virtually everyone is capable of performing. Using a treadmill for walking provides you with a safe and even surface that is slightly flexible, so there is a lower impact on your joints. The great thing about treadmills is that they make walking possible in extreme weather conditions. Walking provides health benefits such as weight loss, lowers the risk of diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and could reduce your risk of a heart attack just as well as jogging. Walking can be ideal for those who have knee problems and prefer a low impact workout, as the pivoting platforms reduce the amount of jarring your body may endure when walking.
Jogging
Jogging burns calories at a faster rate than walking. Making it more helpful for weight loss and increasing your aerobic fitness. Jogging is also tougher on the body so it’s essential that you prepare yourself if you’re planning on running long distances. Set yourself a goal and take time to gradually get there. Throwing yourself into exercise isn’t beneficial and will more than likely lead to injury.
Whether you use a treadmill as a walker or a jogger, it’s important to know the machines controls before you begin your workout. Wear closed toe, supportive shoes, and stretch your legs, warm up at a slow pace for a few minutes before getting into your cardio vascular workout, and its important to cool down at the end of your workout. Once you have your balance, let go out the handles and move naturally, how you would jog outside. Why not consider doing spouts of sprinting, followed by active recovery for a good balance of walking and jogging.
Tags: exercise at home, exercise equipment, staying healthy, treadmill, treadmill workouts, weight loss
Finding Your Motivation:Strategies and Secrets to Making New and Better Choices
Posted in Excercise Tips, Weight Loss Tips |
Feb10
Habits help us regulate our moods. So changing them could leave us without a way of feeling good. For example, when you “need” chocolate to “feel better” you don’t really want chocolate you want a dopamine release.
Dopamine is a chemical that makes you feel great, and chocolate helps your body to release it. That good feeling is the motivation behind your cravings. So the important thing to consider when you’re trying to lose weight is finding another way to get your dopamine fix, through exercise, sleep or interaction, you can satisfy the cravings without the calories.
Motivations is the driving force behind our bad habits, so dive into yours and form new, good habits. Identify what you want and how you can get it. You can shape new behaviours and with little practice they can become as routine as your bad habits were.
When we decide to make changes to our lifestyles, the problem is, is that we’re not specific enough. When we say “we want to lose weight” or “exercise more”. It’s important to have a goal, so when your goals are met, you know you’ve succeeded. So creating a measurable outcome makes your goal as specific as your craving.
If you set yourself a target of drinking fewer fizzy drinks or perhaps to visit the gym more, why don’t you spend some time recording how much or how little you’re performing, these can help you set a more realistic target. If you’re not exercising, then don’t go and exercise seven days a week. Turning a large goal into bite sized steps is the best approach for a bigger outcome.
Tags: buying fitness equipment, diet, dieting, exercise at home, exercise equipment, staying healthy, weight loss
Using Your Vibration Machine for Exercise
Posted in Excercise Tips, Vibration Plates |
Feb07
It’s a fact,Vibration plates have been proven to help with sustained weight loss and loss of abdominal fat when they are used correctly. Recent studies have shown that combining dieting with weight loss training could potentially be an alternative to using weights because your muscles are contracting while you exercise.
So here are a few exercises that you can carry out on your vibration plate:
Continue to carry on with normal exercises, but do them on the vibration plate. The vibration plate is designed to improve circulation while you’re exercising. This will more than likely to lead to better calorie and fat burning. So carry on doing your normal exercises such as lunges, push ups and stretches on the machine, You won’t be successful with your fitness and weight loss goals just standing on the vibration plate.
Continue to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Calorie restrictions with use of vibration exercise provide the best results.
Perform a variety of exercises on the vibration plate. Leg exercises can be performed the same as you would on the floor, Stand with your knees slightly apart, holding onto the handles. Straighten your back and stand on the balls of your feet. You can start to straighten your legs, then flex. This is a type of mini squat. Try to gradually do lower squats which will provide more of an intense workout. Perform squats with your knees wider apart to ensure every muscle is being targeted. Try lunges, with one foot on the floor and one foot on the machine. Stand on the plate and alternate your weight from the balls of your feet onto the heels of your calves, this exercise contracts the calve muscles.
Exercise your buttocks by lying on a block, put your legs on the machine. Raise your pelvis up and down, hold the position. This is known as the bridge pose.
Make sure you’re targeting your upper body too, place your arms on the vibration plate machine and do push-ups. You can place a push up bar on the machine. You should then face away from the vibration plate and then place your hands on the push up bar. You should then push up and down straightening your arms to work your shoulders and triceps. Hold the posture while the machine vibrates and contracts your muscles, if you don’t have a push-up bar you can place your hands on the machine, face away and perform up and down movements with your feet on the floor.
Tags: exercise, exercise at home, home gym equipment, vibration plate fitness, vibration plate training, vibration plates, weight loss
Voucher Code Crazy!
Posted in Buying Guide, Elliptical Cross Trainers, Fitness Equipment, Orbus Leisure News, Toning Equipment, Treadmill Running Machines, Vibration Plates |
Feb06
This February Orbus Leisure has gone Voucher Crazy! Check out the site to see a range of fantastic ‘Extra’ discount voucher codes and saving up to an amazing £200 OFF Sale Prices!
All the ‘Extra Saving’ voucher codes can be used exclusively on the Orbus Leisure Web site during February.
They include up to and EXTRA 25% off all Vibration Plate Sale Prices, and an EXTRA 5% off Sale prices on all Orbus Elliptical Cross Trainers and again, and EXTRA 5% off all Sale Prices on Orbus Branded Treadmills.
There has never been a better time to get fit for less!
Top Treadmill Tips
Posted in Buying Guide, Excercise Tips, Fitness Equipment, Treadmill Running Machines |
Feb03
Here are some workout tips for those who have treadmills collecting dust after a few months of purchasing. You may not be using your treadmill correctly if you’re not getting an optimal workout from it. Perhaps you find yourself getting bored quickly, or you may not have seen the type of results that you were expecting. The problem is not in the treadmill but understanding how to exercise properly and how to stay motivated.
Common problems
The common mistake made is that people step on the treadmill straight away and run for half an hour hoping to lose the pounds, in fact this will make you extremely tired very quickly and will probably be very boring. This isn’t an efficient workout either.
Another mistake is starting out at the pace you want to maintain throughout your workout. Exercising like this will quickly lead to sore muscles and possible injuries not to mention that you’ll make yourself frustrated.
Tips for a safe workout
There are certain elements to an effective treadmill exercise, keep these things in mind:
- Always warm up. It’s important to stretch your muscles and warm them up. perhaps start by walking at a speed of no more than 2 mph for a minute or two, switch from heel to toes for thirty seconds each, then stretch out your stride for another minute, this will help you stretch your muscles properly. When you increase your level of fitness, you could perhaps increase the speed of your warm up to as fast as 4 mph, which will be a brisk power walk or a light jog.
- Increase your workout slowly. You should gradually increase your difficulty level. Progress too quickly and you risk over-working your muscles or you could sustain an injury. This is one of the most important tips when it comes down to a treadmill workout. ‘Burn-out’ is very often the outcome of trying to rush results.
- Always cool down. Jumping straight off the treadmill after running is an invitation for muscle cramps. You should slow down your pace and allow your muscle and heart rate to return to normal while you’re moving.
Fuel F63 Treadmill
Tags: buying fitness equipment, home gym equipment, running machine, treadmill, treadmill workouts, treadmills
Using Your Cross Trainer at Home
Posted in Buying Guide, Elliptical Cross Trainers, Excercise Tips |
Jan31
Elliptical Cross trainers make the perfect addition to your personal fitness equipment. Many people prefer working out at home because it is at their own convenience and they can feel comfortable in their own privacy. Downsides to using the gym include having to wait to use equipment, and not forgetting the gym membership that goes along with it. If you calculated how much money you spent on an annual gym membership, it would in most cases work out cheaper to invest in a cross trainer.
Cross trainers are basically a mixture of several exercise machines, with the 2 movable handles and foot pedals you can guarantee a full body workout. Cross trainers offer a full cardio workout, with the minimal risk of injury. So instead of buying several fitness machines that will take up a lot of room in your house, it may be a good idea to just invest in a cross trainer.
For an effective workout session, consider choosing a cross trainer with progress display screens, there are also a range of cross trainers available with heart rate monitors so you can fully track your progress. The great thing about cross trainers is that they require minimal floor space in your home; they are easy and compact and are great to manoeuvre.
Tips on How to Exercise Using a Cross Trainer
It’s important to place your heels flat on peddles, some people may extend their heels upwards throughout the workout session, and this can lead to soreness of the calf muscles. To prevent this feet should be placed centrally on the pedals and keep them comfortably flat throughout the workout.
Warming up is essential, concentrate on your calf and lower leg muscles in general, to avoid any injury or soreness with extensive use of the cross trainer.
Aim for extended arms movements, instead of constrained movements. It is important to use your arms to aid in speed control, as opposed to just relying on your legs. This helps you achieve a much more effective workout.
Set yourself a challenge, keeping the setting at an easy level will not help your fitness efforts, the best way is to start at a comfortable level and slowly raise the level as your workout progresses.
The most important tip is to keep hydrated, so always have a bottle of water nearby.
Fuel FE46F Folding Elliptical Cross Trainer
Tags: buying a cross trainer, cheap cross trainers, cross trainers, elliptical cross trainers, fitness equipment, orbus cross trainers
Sport Relief 2012
Posted in Excercise Tips, Orbus Leisure News, Treadmill Running Machines, Weight Loss Tips |
Jan26
So Sport Relief is on the horizon, so what other great opportunity do you need to do a spot of fund raising as well as keeping fit?
Sainsbury’s sport relief events take place across the country on Sunday 25th March, there is an option to do 1, 3 or 6 miles, so you can get involved as a family, as a team or alone. It’s a great way of exercising. There are over 600 events being organised, where people can get involved in their own communities all over the country.
The one mile distance is a family favourite and is great for mums, dads, and kids as you can run, jog, or walk. You can complete the mile however you like whether it be a light hearted family competition or in your own time if you have smaller children. Sport Relief is also a great way of sending a message to children all over the UK, as it’s vital that they look after their health and keep fit in order to live a long and happy life.
Three miles is more of a challenge and could be ideal for the fun runner, or for the beginners who want to set themselves targets to try and race against the clock, or even to beat fellow competitors. You don’t have to do months of hard training to enjoy a 3 mile run.
The 6 mile run is for the people who like to push themselves to the limit and would be enjoyable to people who like to set themselves challenges. This distance may be more appropriate for the advanced runner, but if you want to be ambitious you should consider pre-training in order to get your body used to running such long distances. Perhaps it may be an idea to invest in piece of home gym equipment such as a treadmill or cross trainer so you can train your body to run at its full potential. Treadmills are great to have around the house, as you can train regardless of the weather conditions, and all the family can benefit from this piece of equipment.
So however you decided to take part, Sport relief is a great excuse to get fit and healthy. So get your running shoes on for this excellent a fun charity race!
Tags: exercising for fun, exercising for weighloss, fitness equipment, home gym equipment, running, staying healthy
Treadmills Vs Elliptical CrossTrainers
Posted in Buying Guide, Elliptical Cross Trainers, Treadmill Running Machines |
Jan24
Treadmills and Elliptical cross trainers are the probably the two most popular pieces of home gym equipment and are great for full body workouts and aerobic exercise. Elliptical cross trainers have come to table quite recently, whereas treadmills have been around for a while and are one of the most well known pieces of gym equipment. But before you go out and commit yourself to buying a treadmill take a quick look at Elliptical cross trainers
Cross trainers are an impact free workout, which can make this piece of home gym equipment ideal for people with joint problems. Yet the treadmill offers a workout with more impact which strengthens the bones.
The main benefit of using a treadmill is to provide a better running experience for a dedicated runner, walker or jogger. During colder months it may be advisable to invest this piece of equipment, as the torrential weather conditions are enough to put a stop to any form of outdoor exercise.
If you’re looking for a total body workout then the elliptical cross trainer would be the machine for you. It has dual handle bars to give your arms a workout and foot pedals to exercise the legs. With less impact a cross trainer may feel like you’re putting in less effort than running, but in fact your burning just as many calories.
The main reason why treadmill sales have been so successful over the past few years is that you’re able to increase the ramp incline to simulate running uphill this allows a varied workout. Now the Elliptical cross trainer also gives you variation, as you can adjust the foot pedals, to simulate cross country skiing.
So it really comes down to your personal preference, you should take into consideration if you have any joint problems or perhaps if you feel you need to take a steady step into the world of exercise. The elliptical will be the right piece of equipment for you.
If you feel you need more of a cardiovascular workout, which include, walking, jogging and running. You can vary your workout. Try the treadmill, it’s more of a natural way of exercise, and modern technologies can simulate running on the road. So people of all ages and sizes can find a workout that suits them and enjoy it at their own pace.
It’s impossible to say which machine is the best as it comes down to your own personal preference.
Tags: buying fitness equipment, cross trainer, elliptical cross trainer, exercise at home, fitness equipment, running machine, treadmill
